Kerak

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A language of Senegal

ISO 639-3
hhr
Alternate Names
Her, Keerak, Keeraku
User Population

18,200 (2017).

Location

Ziguinchor region: Kabrousse village area southwest near Guinea-Bissau border.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Atlantic, Northern, Bak, Jola, Jola Proper, Jola Central, Her-Ejamat
Dialects

None known. Distinct from other Jola varieties. Lexical similarity: 70% with Kerak and Ejamat [eja], more recent estimates are closer to 90%. Both languages are mutually intelligible.

Language Use

Those who have moved to larger urban areas no longer pass the language to their children (2013 SIL). Used by all. Many also use Wolof [wol], as the language of commerce and interethnic communication (Sarr and Thiaw 2012). Some also use French [fra], as the language of education and government (Diouf et al 2017).

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kerak
Writing

Unwritten [Qaax].